Strand-reeling apparatus



June 5, 1928.

I /n Men/0r 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 .d W n 6- J. N. SELVIG STRAND REELING APPARATUS Filed July 1, 1926 June 5, 1928.

J. N. SELVIG STRAND REELING APPARATUS Filed July 1, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet Wye/7i Ja/w A/ 6/I//f v m; 7

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 0 W 6 0 H w A JWAA 6 M 0 w 6 H k 7 0 y 4 J I 7 b a June 5, 1928.

Filed July 1, 1926 June s, 1928. '1,672;784

J. N. SELVIG STRAND REELING APPARATUS Filed July 1, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Wye/7f J0/7/7 /1. 56/V/ Patented June 5, 1928.

UNITED'ST'ATES 1,672,784 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN NILSEN SELVIG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC CO)!- PANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ,A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

S'IRAND-REELIN G APPARATUS.

Application filed July 1,

This invention relates to strand reeling apparatus, and more particularly to a continuously operating reeling or take-up apparatus.

In apparatus of this character the strand being drawn from a source of supply and wound upon a rotating take-up reel is usually transferred from the take-up reel which has been filled to an empty rotating take-up reel without stopping the apparatus. This abrupt transference of the strand from a large diameter reel to a relatively small diameter reel it will be apparent, subjects the strand to an extreme range of tension values, which in the case of some strands, depending upon their diameter or composition, would cause a breakage thereof or impart a deleterious strain thereto.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of reeling apparatus of the aforementioned type wherein a substantially uniform predetermined tension is maintained at all times upon a strand during the winding thereof and particularly during the transfer of the strand from afull take-up reel to an empty one while the reeling apparatus continues to function.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention as adapted to the continuous reeling of wire and particularly of pulp covered wire, there is provided a pair of rotatable take-up reels operatively connected through friction disc clutch members with a common constantly rotating driving mechanism, the clutch members being constantly engaged face to face with each other when the apparatus is operating but variable as to pressure between them, which variation in pressure is controlled through the agency of a governing device comprising a pair of sheaves having an interposed rotatable spring controlled member with which the travelling wire is associated.

More specifically the wire in traveling from the source of supply to the take-up reel passes around one of the sheaves and then a third sheave mounted with its axis perpendicular to the axis of the aforementioned she-ave upon the interposed 'spring controlled member, and then around the other sheave in a direction opposite to. its direction around the first sheave, and thence to the take-up reel. The movement of the s ring controlled member, between the two seaves, in response to any tendency of the continuously operated reeling apparatus embodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side View thereof, partly in section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed sectional view through the take-up reel arbor;

Fig. 7 is a detail section upon the line 7-7 of Fig. 6 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the take-up reel stop friction link;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 99 thereof looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a skeleton view, partly in section, of the clutch controlling mechanism and the take-up drive, and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary .view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 10 showing the position assumed thereby should the wire break during the reeling operation.

The reeling apparatus illustrated in the drawings and to which this invention has been applied comprises two vertically arranged units 15 and 16 positioned one above the other and carried upon a single supporting frame 17. The units 15 and 16 are of substantially identical construction. each sis comprising a pair of power driven take-up reels l8-and a reciprocal wire distributing mechanism 19 for laying the wire in close, even spirals across the face of the reels, the entire apparatus being operated from an electric motor 22 carried upon the rear face of the frame 17. Each of the units 15 and 16 includes a main drive shaft 23 (Fig. 2) which in the operation of the apparatus rotates at a constant speed. Fixed to the shafts 23 are sprocket wheels 24 which are driven from a sprocket wheel 25 secured to the shaft of the motor 22 by a chain 26. Since the drive from the main drive shaft 23 of each unit to the associated take-up reel arbors is identical, the following description of the lower unit 16 also ap lies to the upper unit 15. Secured to the s iaft 23 is a gear 28 meshing with a gear wheel 29 (Figs. 1 and 10) secured to a sleeve 30 rotatably carried upon a journal 31 mounted upon atake-up drive housing 32, the sleeve 30 being suitably secured against longitudinal displacement upon the journal 31. The sleeve 30 at its greatest diameter and upon its left hand side as viewed in Fig. 10 is provided with a friction clutch face 33. In axial alignment with the sleeve 30 and arranged for rotatable and longitudinal movement within an opening formed in the 'ournal 31 is a s indle 35 which is rotated independently o the sleeve, 30 and, has pinned thereto at sleeve 36 having secured at its greatest diameter and upon its rightv face (Fig. 10) a ring 37 composed of any suitable friction material which with the opposed face 33 of the sleeve 30 forms a friction clutch. In suitable spaced relationupon the spindle 35 is a pair of gear wheels 38 and 39, the gear wheel 38 being inte ral with the sleeve 36, while the gear whee 39 is inde endentl inned to the spindle 35. The 1e t end 0 t e spindle 35 is provided with a portion 42 of reduced diameter which is positioned within the bore of a sleeve 43 and spaced from the wall thereof the sleeve bein reciprocally mounted. within a recess 44 ormed in the housing 32. The sleeve- 43 is supported at its left end upon a collar 45 carried upon the extreme left end of the spindle 35 and at its right end upon the;

periphery of an anti-friction bearing 46 mounted upon a shouldered portion 47 of the spindle 35. The recess 44 is closed at its left end by a plug 51 threaded thereinto. At a point directly above the spindle 35, the periphery of the sleeve 43' is provided with gear teeth out in the form of a rack 52. Journaled in a recess 53 formed in thehousing 32 is a shaft .56 provided'wit-h ar teeth. 57 upon an enlarged portion t ereof, the teeth 57 meshing withjthe teeth of the rack 52.- One end of the shaft56 extends from the housing 32 and fixed there] to is a lever 58, which in response to an associated mechanism to be described hereinafter and actuated during the reeling operationserves to vary'the driving pressure between the opposed'faces of the friction clutch comprising the ring 37 and the face 33 of the sleeve 30, and thus maintains a sub'stantiall uniform predetermined tension upon t e wire at all times.

This completes the descri tion of the drive from the motor 22 to t e spindle 35 carrying the gears 38 and 39, which, as will be short] described, drive direct to their associat take-up reel and'it will be ap arent that the speed of the gears 38 an 39 will vary with the driving pressure between the opposed faces of the friction clutch members, which in turn is controlled by the varying speed of the reel during the reeling operation.

The means for supporting the take-up reels 18 upon the frame 17 in operative relation with their associated driving gear 38 or 39 and for readily mounting them upon and removing them from the apparatus, will now be described. Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7, a pivotal arm 60 is rovided for each take-up reel, the reel being rotatably sup tending annular portion 67, the inner end.

faces of which coo rate with means to be resently describe for locking the 'reels rom longitudinal movement upon their supportin arbor. Rotatably journaled upon anti-friction bearings 68 and 69 suitably po-' sitioned in a recess 70 provided in a head portion 71 upon the upper end of the arm 60 IS a spindle 72. Secured for rotation upon the spindle 72 is a gear wheel 75, the antifriction bearing 69 being secured to a shouldered portion 76 provided u n the hub thereof. Clamping nuts 77 t readed onto threaded portions provided upon the spindle I 72 serve to retain he bearin their assembled position, as s own on Fig. 6 of the drawings. Upon the left end of the spindle 72 is a sleeve 78 which is secured to the spindle by a in'79 its right end abutting a shoul er orm upon the spindle. The diameter of the sleeve 78 and the greatest diameter .of the spindle "are such that 68 and 69 in they slidably fit within the bore of the hub members 64 provided upon the reel 18.

in the ri ht end of the spindle 72 is a pin 83 equippe at its outside endwith a knob 84. The pin' 83 is limited in. its longitudinal movement in the openin 82 by-a pin 85 Slidably carried within an axial opening 82 passing throu h the spin 1e 72," a slot 86 of suitable te being formed in the pin 83 for limiting thev movement thereof. The;

spingle 72 at a point adjacent the left end 0 t e diametrically opposed slots 89 (Fig. 7), in each of which is positioned a do 90. A right angle extension upon each 0g 90 at pin asis provided with a pair of i arm 60 during the movement of the latter from the full line position shown in the drawings to a point where it assumes a vertical position indicated by the dotted line 122. The operator is thus relieved from all effort to hold back the weighted arm 60 after it passes the vertical position. The links 109 and 110 in their dotted line operated position (Fig. 2), it will be observer, assume a substantially straight line. Upon removing a filled reel 18 from its spindle and replacing it with an empty one in the manner hereinbefore described, the operator grasps the handle 101 and rocks the arm 60 to its full line position. During the later movement, the links 109 and 110 pivot about the bolt 113 in a direction opposite to their movement just described. The disc 118 during the return movement is stationary relative to the link 110, the plunger 121 moving away from the tooth 119 and onto the periphery of the disc 118, thus no friction occurs between the discs 118 and 120, the link 109 freely turning about the bolt 113.

The clutch governing device for maintaining a substantially uniform predetermined tension at all times upon the wire traveling between the source of supply, which may be a capstan (not shown) and. the take-up reel 18 will now be described.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, at the top of the frame 17 is mounted a standard 124 and rotatably journaled upon an overhanging portion thereof are wire guide pulleys 125, which receive the wire from the supply source and guide it to the clutch governing devices. Rotatably journaled upon the standard 124 are a pair of horizontally disposed spindles 126 (Fig. 3), one of the pulleys 125 and one of the spindles 126 being operatively associated with each of the reeling units 15 and 16. Adjustably secured by a set screw (not shown) to the standard 124 is a sleeve 127 and attached thereto is a sleeve 129 within which is rotatably journaled the spindle 126. Rotatably journaled upon the sleeve 129 is a sheave 130 and spaced therefrom and similarly mounted upon the spindle 126 at the right end thereof, as viewed in Fig. 3, is a sheave 131. Also rotatably journaled upon the sleeve 129 intermediate the sheaves 130 and 131 is a housing member 132 which is fixed for rotation with the spindle 126 at the. right end thereof (Fig. 3) by a key 133. The housing 132 is open at both ends,the sheaves 130 and 131 serving to close the ends thereof, as clearly indicated in Fig. 3. The housing 132 is yieldably connected to the sleeve 129 by a long spiralclock spring 135 which at its inner end is secured to the sleeve 129 as indicated by the numeral 136, its outer end being secured tothe housing 132 as indicated by the numeral 137 (Fig. 4). The sleeve 127 is provided with a disc-like portion 138 at its right end which isprovided with an internal annular shoulder adjacent its periphery adapted to cover the periphery of one flange of the sheave 130, the opposite flange being similarly covered by a plate 139 and the housing 132. The wire guiding surface of the sheave 131 is also covered at its inside edge by the housing 132 and the plate 139, all for the purpose of preventing the wire from becoming entangled inside of the governing device if it should move off of the peripheral guiding surface of the sheaves 130 and 131. R0- tatably mounted upon the plate 139 within a depression 142 thereof (Fig. 4) and at right angles to the sheaves 130 and 131 is a sheave 143. The wire guiding surfaces of the sheaves 130, 131 and 143 are substantially in alignment so that the wire, as will be more full described hereinafter, is adapted to pass rom the sheave 130 to the sheave 143 and thence to the sheave 131 in a horizontal plane with the governing device in the position shown in the drawings.

Secured for rotation to the spindle 126 at its left end (Fig. 3) is a cam 144 and riding upon the peripheral face thereof is a roller 145 (Fig. 10) carried upon the upper end of a lever 146,.the lower end of the lever being the 'arms of a bifurcated lever 147 at a point 148. The lever 147 is pivotally mounted upon a pin 149 fixed to an arm 150 (Fig. 2) extending from the standard 124. The lever 146 near its pivot point 148 is provided with a projecting arm 152 which in the normal position thereof as shown in the drawings, particularly Fig. 10, rests at its lower surface upon the long arm of the bifurcated lever 147. A tension spring 153 secured at opposite ends to lugs 154 formed upon the levers serves to draw the arm 152 pivotally supported between and the long arm of the lever 147 into engagement. Pivotally connected to the long arin of the lever 147 and depending therefrom is a link 155, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to one end of a rocker arm 156 pivotally supported u on the top surface of the frame 17 by a racket 157. Extendingthrough an opening provided in the left end of the arm 156 is the upper end of a downwardly extending link 158, the opposite end of which is pivoted to the lever 58 hereinbefore described in connection with the details of the friction clutch. Upon the upper end of the link 158 is threaded a pair of nuts 161 and mounted u on the link 158 between the end of the roc er arm 156 and the nuts 161 is a coiled compression spring 162 which forms a yieldable connection e link 158. A similar spring 163 of greater force surrounding the link 158 adjacent its lower end and positioned between a pair of nuts 164 threaded upon the link and a statween the rocker arm 156 and the i thethe le end thereof engages the left end of in 83, and when the reel" 18 is locked upon the spindle 72, as indicated in Fig. 6, a shoulder 91 upon each of the dogs 90 rests against the ri ht end of the sleeve 78 which extends slightly over the left end of the slots 89. The dogs 90 in this osition it will be observed at their right end; projects through the slots 89 and outside of the periphery of the spindle 7 2, an angular face 92 contacting with the inner end face of the inwardly extending annular portion.,67 of the axial hub member 64 secured to the right end of the reel 18. Carried in the opening 82 of the spindle 72 at the left of the slots 89 is a spring pressed pin 93 which serves to retain the do s 90 in their normal position as.

shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, in which sition it will be apparent that the reel 18 1S prevented from longitudinal move- I ment upon the spindle 72 by the dogs 90 engaging the inner end face of portion 67 of the member 64, as hereinbefore described.

' To release the reel "from the spindle 72, the

. cap

' reel 18 is secured for rotation with the ear 75and the spindle 72 by a pin 97 carrie b the e operator presses the knob 84 inward against the force of the spring pressed pin 93 and in so doing the dogs 90 are rocked inward due .to the right angle extensions thereof posit-ioned between the opposed ends of the pins 72 and 93. The dogs are thus drawn within the periphe of the spindle 72 in which position it will be apparent that the reel ma be readil withdrawn from the spindle. X mem r 94 is secured to the head portion 71 of the arm to enclose the end of the spindle 72 and the clamping nut 77. The

gear upon the ft face of the hu portion thereof, as viewed in Fig 6, which is designed to enter openings provided in either of the flanges 63 of the reel. I

. Referring'to Figs. 1 and 2, the arm 60 above the head portion 71 thereof pivotally supports a handle 101 provided with a pin 102 arranged to rest, when the arm 60 with the attached reel is in an operative position,

.as shownin full lines in Fi s. 1 and 2, substantially vertica surface 103 against a bracket 104 secured to the formed upon 'a frame 17. In this position the gear 75 and its associated ear 38 or 39 are operatively engaged. In t e operation of the ap aratus when a filled reel is to be removed om its driving spindle and replaced with an empty asped by the opera-g.

the handle 101 is' rocked about .its'pivot as viewed in Fig.2 in a'clockwise direction, the pin .102 riding upon an inclined surface 105 upon one,

the bracket 104, thearm 60, it will be under-.

stood, is rocked about its pivot 61 in unison therewith and thus disengages thegear 75 from its associated gear 38 or 39 carried the driving spindle 35.

The reels when filled with wire are l quit e "link pivotal at 111 and 112 (Fig. 2) are pivoted to the frame 17 and the upper end of the arm 60, respectively. The opposite ends of the links 109 and are bifurcated and pivotally connected together by a bolt 113 passing through circular openings" rovided in the arms thereof, the arms of t e link 109 being positioned outside of the arms of the 110. Mounted upon the bolt 113 between one arm of the link 110 and a nut 115 threaded onto the bolt13 is a circularspacing collar 116. The diameter of the collar 116 and the head of the bolt 113 are substantially the same and are adapted to freely rotate within the o nings in the arms of the link 109. Botatab y carried upon the bolt 113 between the arms of the link 110 is a latch disc 118 provided with a plurality of teeth 119. carried upon the bolt 113 at either .side' of'the disc 118 are discs 120 composed of any suitable friction material. It will beapparent that by turning the nut 115 u y n the bolt 113 the arms Ora-the link110 Wltll thefdises 11s and 120 therebetween may be compressed to cause the friction discs 120 to grip the o posite surfaces of the latch disc 118 'wit a suitable pressure. A spring pressed plunger 121 is carried in a recess provided in the bifurcated end of the link 109, the .outer end of the plunger being adapted to engage the peripheral Referring to; Fig. 2 of the drawings wherein one of the arms 60 associated with the lower unit 16 and its associated parts is shown in dotted outline in its lowered position,- it

will be apparent that upon rocking the arm 60 in a clockwise direction about the pivot toothed surface of thelatch dlSC 118. 5

61, as hereinbefore described, the links 109 f and 110 will turn in opposite directions. about the -bolt 113. The lin 109 in turning-upon the bolt 113 during the travel thereof from the full line to the dotted line. position (Fig.

2) will rotate the latch disc 118 therewith. due to the "lunger121 engaging a tooth 119 thereof, an the friction set up betweenthe friction discs. engaging opposite surfaces thereof is suficient to'restrainthe arm length of the links 109 and110 and their are such ,60'and1 theloaded reel-18 carried thereby 1 I I frorn'zthe normal force .of gravity. The

point-upon the frame 17 and arm 60 that no relative movement between the latch disc 118 and the friction discs 120 tionary lug 165 fixed to the frame 17 serves to urge the friction ring 37 toward the right and against the friction clutch face 33. In operation it will be apparent that the com pression of the spring 162 in response to a clockwise movement of the rocker arm 156 about its pivot will reduce the force of the spring 163 acting to urge the friction clutch faces together and thereby lessen the driving pressure therebetween. Upon a reverse movement of the rocker arm taking place the spring 163 in response to an expansion of the spring 162 will cause an increase in the driving pressure between the clutch faces. The compression of the springs 162 and 163 are variable by adjusting the nuts 161 and 164, respectively, upon the link 158. The wire is distributed upon the take-up reel 18 in timed relation to the feeding of the wire from the capstan (not shown) to the take-up reel by the movement of a pair of spaced blades 168 of the wire distributing mechanism 19 (Figs. 1 and 2) which are reciprocated back and forth across the winding on surface of the reels 18 in a horizontal direction and at a predetermined speed b the following mechanism. Upon the let end of the main drive shaft 23 associated with the upper reeling unit 15 (Figs. 1 and 2) is a sprocket169 operatively connected" to a sprocket wheel 170, by a chain 171, the sprocket wheel 170 being fixed to a stub shaft 172. Also fixed to the shaft 172 is a gear 173 meshing with a gear wheel 174 secured to a shaft 177 which has secured therefor vertical reciprocation upon the frame 179 The rack bar 190, in addition to the teeth provided thereon for meshing with the gear wheel 189, is provided with oppositely disposed teeth which mesh with a pair of gears 193, one for each of the reeling units 15 and 16, the gears 193 each being secured to one end of a shaft 194 rotatably mounted in journals 195. Secured to the opposite end of each of the shafts 194 is a gear 196 similar to the gear 193 and which meshes with a horizontally reciprocal rack bar 197 carried upon journals 198 at the front of the frame 17. Each pair of wire distributing blades 168'hereinbefore referred to are adjustablv mounted upon their associated rack bar 197 in such a manner that by rotating a thumb screw 199 operatively associated with the means for mounting the blades upon the across the winding on surface of the reels 18 by the cooperating sprockets 169 and 170, gears 173, 174, 187, 189, 193 and 196, worms 178 and 179, cam 181, roller 186 and racks 185, 190 and 197, as just described.

Upon transferring the traveling wire from a filled reel to an empty one during the continued operation of the reeling apparatus, means is provided intermediate the two reels of each unit and rotatable in unison therewith for catching the oncoming wire and causing it to travel with the reels during the continued rotation thereof. The wire catch ing means comprises a circular disc 200, having fixed thereto at its center a pin 201 which is entered within the bore of the sleeve 78 secured to the spindle 72 (Figs. 1, 2 and 6). The pin is provided with a plurality of slots 202 out at right angles across its diameter with the split portions of the pin 201 fitting the bore of the sleeve 7 8 with a spring action, but in such a manner that it with the attached disc may be readil removed from the associated reel 18 ant similarly associated with the oppositely disposed reel. Formed in the periphery of the disc 200 are a p urality of equally spaced notches or do pressions 203. In transferring the traveling wire from a filled reel to an empty one, the length of the wire spanning the space be tween the two reels will enter one of the notches 203 and be carried around with the disc 200 and the reels and thus it will be apparent the oncoming wire will be wound upon the new reel. During the winding of the new reel the wire spanning the two reels is severed in any suitable manner and the filled reel may then be removed from its spindle and an empty one mounted thereon in the manner hereiubefore described- If the wire catching disc is mounted upon the removed reel it may be readily detached therefrom and associated with the revolving reel being filled before the empty reel substituted for the filled reel is mounted upon its driving spindle.

The operation of the apparatus is as fol lows: The following description of operation will be confined to the unit 16, but it will be apparent that it also applies to the unit 15 with the exception that the wire in passing from the guide pulley 125 to the=urijf 15 is associated with its respective clutoh gov erning device by being threaded these; around upon leaving the pulley 125'in counter-clockwise direction, as is clearlyrin now to the unit 16, the wire from the pulley 125 is given several complete wraps around the sheave 130 in a ckckwise direction (Figs. 1 and 5) and then around the right end of the sheave 143 mounted perpendicular to the sheaves 130 and 131 and thence onto the sheave 131 and wrapped therearound several times in a counterclockwise direction. The wrapping of the wire around the sheaves 130 and 131 it will be apparent provides a storage for the wire which is primarily necessary due to the wide range of variation in speed of the takeup reel during the transferring operation which will he described hereinafter. The end of the wire is then threaded between the distributing blades 168 and secured in any suitable manner to one or the other of the reels 18. The reel 18 is then rotated clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2 for a suitable distance by hand to impart a normal operating tension upon the wire between the capstan (not shown) and the reel 18. This it will be apparent causes the rotation of the sheave 131 counter-clockwise and through the loop of wire running around the sheave 143 supported upon the housing 132 rotates the latter in the same direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 4. The housing 132 being fixed to rotate with the spindle 126 carries the latter with it and thus the cam 144; assumes the normal operating position shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings with the roller 145 positioned upon the cam intermediate the high and low points thereof, in which position the lower surface of the cam 152 of the lever 146 is engaged with the long arm of the bifurcated lever 147. In this position of the governing device, a suitable normal driving pressure occurs between the opposed faces of the friction clutch.

The reeling apparatus is then set in motion and thus the take-up reels 18 and the wire distributing blades will operate in the manner hereinbefore described. As 'the diameter of the reel increases as each layer of wire is wound thereon it becomes necessary to gradually increase the driving pressure between the friction faces of the clutch to maintain the predetermined tension on the wire which otherwise would become slack between the reel and the capstan, the wire being delivered at a constant speed to the reeling apparatus. During the building up of the take-up reel in diameter the clutch governing device operates in the following manner. The energy stored in the clock spring 135 immediately upon any tendency of the wire to slacken, which momentarily occurs at the completion of each layer of wire wound, at which instant, the wire moves further out from the axis of the reel to form the next layer, slightly rotates the housing 132 and spindle 126 as viewed in Figs. 1 and 4 in a clockwise direction.

Thus through the cam 144 fixed to the spindle 126 and the associated system of sensitively balanced levers (as hereinbefore described), the driving pressure between the friction clutch faces will be gradually increased and consequently the driving power applied to the take-up reel will gradually becomes greater, but it will be apparent that the rotative speed 'of the reel will be gradually decreased therewith as a result of the increasing diameter of the reel, the slippage between the clutch faces becoming greater as the reel builds up.

When the reel being filled is wound with suiiicient wire, the operator draws the traveling wire from between the associated distributing blades 168, preferably at an instant when the blades are adjacent the outer flange of the reel, and inserts it between the blades 168 associated with the empty reel which at this instant are disposed adjacent the inner flang of the empty reel, each set of blades traversing in unison the faces of the associated reels. As hereinbefore described, the length of wire spanning the space between the two reels enters one of the notches 203 in the disc 200 and is carried around therewith and thus the winding of the wire upon the empty reel commences.

At the instant of transferring the oncoming wire from the filled reel to the empty one it will be apparent from the description of operation heretofore given in connection with the building up of the filled reel, that the driving ressure between the friction clutch faces as been gradually increased and the rotative speed of the reels has been correspondingly reduced. Since the two associated reels of each unit are operated in unison from the same friction clutch and the wire is being moved from a winding on surface of large diameter to one of a much smaller diameter, it will be evident that to maintain the predetermined tension upon the wire, the driving )ower applied to the reel should be reduced to correspond with the diameter thereof through a corres ondingl reduced ressure between the friction clutc faces. t the same time the speed of the reel will reach its maximum due to the reduced slippage between the clutch faces caused by the reel being empty and the winding on point of the wire bein relatively close to the axis of the reel. Tt will be apparent that the wire will tend to slacken between the capstan (not shown) and the emptreel upon the transfer thereof from the lled reel to the empty one but this slackening is prevented by the continued rotation of the housing 132 clockwise under the action of the clock spring 135 .and cooperating mechanism. As hereinbefore described, this movement of the housin 132 serves to increase still further the driving pressure between the clutch faces and thereby the driving power applied to the reel becomes greater, which results in a rapid increase in the take up of the wire in excess of the speed at which the wire is being dclivered by the capstan, and consequently the wire is drawn from the storage provided for by the sheaves 130 and 131; as hereinbefore described.- This rotates the housing 132 counter-clockwise and thus the clutch pres sure is reduced a suitable degree to maintain the predetermined tension on the wire, the reeling Operation proceeding as hereinbefore described. It will be understood the length of the spring 135 is such that no substantial difference in tension occurs therein within the range of movement of the housing 132 during the reeling and transfer operations.

In case the wire breaks during the reeling operation the friction clutch faces are disengaged in the following manner. The nor mal tension upon the wire during the reeling thereof exerts a pull upon the housing 132 in a counter-clockwise direction against the force of the clock spring 135. \Vhen the tension in the wire is released by the breakage thereof the clock spring 135 pulls the housing 132 very quic 1% in a clockwise direction, the cam 144 igs. 10 and 11) being operatively connected thereto moves therewith. During this movement the roller 145 riding upon the face of the cam 144 rocks the lever 146 clockwise and through the spring 153 the lever 147 follows, the levers 146 and 147 pivoting about the pin 149 and thereby momentarily causing an increase in the pressure between the clutch faces in a manner similar to that described heretofore. Upon the closed end of the cam. face striking the roller 145 the lever 146 is lifted upwardly, rocking the lever 147 counter-clockwise and thereby expanding the spring 153 until a force is exerted downwardly by the lever 146 and the roller 145, resting at this time at the closed end of the cam face sufficient to arrest the movement of the housin 132 clockwise (Fig. 11). This movement of the lever 147 rocks the arm 156 clockwise and through the cooperating mechanism compresses the springs 162 and 163 and rocks the lever 58 clockwise sufficiently to cause a disengagement of the clutch faces and consequently a stoppage of the apparatus. In the position of the cam 144 as shown in Fig. 11, there occurs a balancing of forces between the springs 135 and 153 due to the wire breaking which leaves the mechanism in the position shown and the clutch faces disengaged until the break in the wire has been repaired and the wire properly strung upon the apparatus.

What is claimed is:

1. In a strand reeling apparatus, atake-up reel, means for communicating power therereel, drivlng to,means including rotatable members having fixed axes of rotation engaged b and responsive to the action of the stranc, and

an elastic leverage mechanism operativelyconnected thereto and with the power com elements engaging the over the elements to the take-up reel, and

an elastic leverage mechanism operatively connected at one end with the power com municating means to 'vary its action In re.

sponse to any tendency of the tension in tie strand to amount.

3. In a strand reeling apparatus, a take-u reel, power driving means therefor inclu ing friction discs, a pressure spring for maintaining the discs in driving engagement, means having fixed axes of rotation engaging the strand as it travels to the take-up reel, and a leverage mechanism including an elastic member operatively connected to the rotatable means and with the pressure spring to vary the pressure thereof and thereby the driving pressure of the friction discs in response to any tendency of the tension in the strand to vary from a predetermined amount.

4. In a strand reeling apparatus, a takeup reel,

vary from a predetermined ower driving means therefor in-; cluding rictlon discs engaging each other face to face, a pressure spring for maintainv ing the discs in driving-engagement, means having fixed axes of rotation engaging the:

strand as it travels to the take-up reel, and a leverage mechanism including'an elastic member adapted to resist pressure operatively connected to the rotatable means and with the pressure spring to vary the pressure thereof and thereby the contact pressure of the friction discs in response to any tendency of the tension in the strand to vary from a predetermined amount.

5. In a strand reeling apparatus, a takeup reel, friction driving means therefor, 11 pluralty of elements having peri heral strand guiding faces and fixed axes o rotation engaging the strand as it travels to the take-up reel, and an elastic leverage mechanism operatively connected to the elements and with the friction driving means to vary the driving pressure thereof in response to any tendency of the tension in the strand to vary from a predetermined amount.

' 6. In a strand reeling apparatus, a take-up means therefor, a plurality of sheaves having fixed axes of rotation and another sheave mounted with its axis perpendicular and movable with respect thereto over which the strand running over the sheaves to the take-up reel passes for controlling the driving means in response to any tendency of the tension in the strand to vary from a predetermined amount.

7. In a strand reeling apparatus, a takeup reel, friction drivng means therefor, a

10 plurality .of sheaves having fixed axes of rotation, another sheave mounted with its axis perpendicular thereto and revolvable thereabout, elastic means connected thereto for resisting the movement thereof, the

strand running over the sheaves to the takeup reel, and an elastic'leverage mechanism operatively connected to the elastic means and with the friction driving means to vary the driving pressure thereof in response to any tendency of the tension in the strand to vary from a predetermined amount.

8. In a strand reeling apparatus, a takeup reel, friction driving means therefor, means having fixed axes of rotation responsive to the strand for continuously storing a progressively increasing length of strand during the reeling operation, and an elastic leverage mechanism operatively connected thereto and with the friction driving means ao'to vary the driving pressure thereof in rethereto, a plurality of sheaves responsive to the advancement of the strand to the take-up reel, means operated by the portion of strand between said sheaves, and an elastic leverage mechanism operatively associated with said 40 means and with the power communicating means to vary its action in response to any tendency of the tension in the strand to vary from a predetermined amount.

10. In a strand reeling apparatus, a takeup reel, means for connnunicating power thereto, a plurality of rotatably mounted spaced sheaves, a yield-ably mounted strand guiding element therebetween eccentric of the axis thereof and revolvable thereabout,

the sheaves and element responsive to the movement of the strand running to the takeup reel, and a leverage mechanism opera.- tively connected to the element and with the power communicating means to vary its action in response to any tendency of the tension in the strand to vary from a predetermined amount.

11. In a strand reeling apparatus, a takeup spool, means for communicating power thereto, a pair of sheaves, a third sheave intermediate said sheaves supporting the strand between said other sheaves and responsive to the advancement of the strand to the take-up reel, and an elastic leverage mechanism opcrativcly associated with the intermediate sheave and wth the power communicating means to vary its action in response to any tendency of the tension in the strand to vary from a )redetermined amount.

12. In a strand reeling apparatus, a takeup reel, friction driving means therefor, a plurality of spaced elements having fixed axes of rotation designed to continuously provlde a storage for a length of strand during the reeling operation intermediate the supply and the take-up reel and over which the strand runs to the reel, strand guiding means interposed between the spaced elements upon an axis perpendicular thereto and revolvable therearound, a length of the strand being wrapped around one of the spaced elements in one direction, passed over the interposed guiding means and wrapped .n an opposite direction around the other spaced element and thence to the reel, elastic means connected to the guiding means for resisting the movement thereof, and an elastic leverage mechanism operatively connected to the elastic means and with the friction driving means to vary the driving pressure thereof in response to anytenden'cy -nf the tension in the strand to v'ary from a predetermined amount.

13. In a strand reeling apparatus, a takeup reel, means for communicating power thereto, means having fixed axes of rotation engaged by and responsive to the action of the strand, and an elastic leverage mechanism operatively connected thereto and with the power communicating means to vary its action in response to any tendency of the tension in the strand to vary from a predetermined amount, and means ope "atively connected to the leverage mechanism for causing the power communicating means to become inoperative in the event that the wire breaks.

In witness where0f,I hereunto subscribe my name this 22nd day of June A. D., 1926.

- J OHN N'ILSEN SELVIG. 

